Residents of the Standerton Riverpark housing scheme for older adults are fed up with neglect and the deterioration of their living situations.

These homes are mostly occupied by pensioners with health conditions. According to the residents’ lease agreements, they cannot make any improvements to the small homes themselves.

One resident feels the municipality has no interest in improving the living conditions of the elderly who reside in these homes.

A resident who wants to remain anonymous due to fear of victimisation, said these homes were not built or renovated with vulnerable people in mind. The older adults have many difficulties accessing the bathtub due to its high elevation and depth.

“Water constantly seeps through the foundations of the homes, compromising the structural integrity of the building. The constant dampness due to the water leak has caused paint to chip off in layers in certain rooms, mould to grow on the ceilings, and jeopardised the electrical wiring of the home.”

The elderly residents agree that they enjoy living near the river, but have reported that the Riverpark itself has deteriorated into a filthy, smelly, dark hole.

One resident says she sees multiple people exposing themselves in public to urinate in front of the houses.

The elderly people living there are mainly pensioners with health problems, such as blindness, heart disease, a history of strokes, kidney failure, and mobility issues.

During a meeting on October 7, the municipality promised to send a team to inspect the premises and address the issues raised by the elderly.

However, to date, the municipality has not shown up. The Standerton Advertiser asked the Lekwa Local Municipality for comment, but had not received a response at the time of going to print.